If Pokémon Plans to Evolve, Going Online-Heavy Won't Be the Way

Pokémon producer shoots down the idea of a persistent online title.

Pokémon is a franchise frequently criticized for failing to evolve. Given industry trends and advances in technology, we've been wondering for years now if and when we would see an online-focused Pokémon game -- more specifically, a Pokémon MMO. While that might seem like too radical of an idea for Nintendo, remember it's Game Freak that develops the games and that this week will see premium downloadable content released for New Super Mario Bros. 2, which is not something we would have seen from Nintendo even a few years ago. That said, it would seem an online-oriented Pokémon title is not in the cards at this point in time.

Game Freak producer Junichi Masuda recently discussed the idea of a persistent online Pokémon game with Gamasutra, and much to the chagrin of those looking forward to such a game, he indicated such a project is unlikely. "I really like online connectivity, but for example, we're having this phone call right now, and it's really cool that we can communicate with each other from two really faraway places," he said. "But at the same time, it would also be really great if we could talk in person.

"That's another thing we could do; it's much more enjoyable when you're talking in person. So I think the best way is to have kind of both at the same time, being able to enjoy this kind of faraway communication, as well as having aspects that allow you to enjoy communication face-to-face and in-person communication."

I can understand not wanting to abandon gamers who want to be able to play together in-person, but if that's the big reason for not wanting to do a more online-oriented game, I do find myself questioning the logic. Even if we accept that playing together in-person is superior to playing online, it's not an option for everyone. The developers do understand that, or else we wouldn't have online features of any sort in Pokémon. But why is it these can't be taken further? It's not as if an online-centric game has to completely leave out any local multiplayer; if that's deemed important, there's no reason why Game Freak could not still provide a rich multiplayer experience for those wanting to play in-person. It also would not have to be the permanent direction for the series: Dragon Quest X being an MMO doesn't mean every future Dragon Quest release will be one, too.

Certainly, part of the reason why I am intrigued by an online Pokémon game is because I've grown tired of the series' formula. When I realize Pokémon Black/White Version 2 are being released this Sunday, I begin to get excited about picking one or the other up. That is, until I realize what's likely to happen if I do: I'll play for five to ten hours before growing tired of an experience that is, in many ways, so much like every prior Pokémon game I've played.

Masuda compared Pokémon to a sport like soccer or basketball, where the core mechanics have changed very little over time -- only the specific rules have. That got me thinking about whether I simply look at Pokémon games in the wrong way; would I feel differently if I considered them more akin to the latest entry in an annual sports franchise than a new JRPG? Maybe I would, until I realize that I have no issue with the core gameplay. I'm not asking for, say, dramatically redesigned combat. But is it really so much to want the main game to consist of something other than the standard "collect all these badges and then face the Elite Four" routine? Black/White Version 2 adhere to that norm, just like their predecessors, and that does little to excite me as someone who started playing the series with the release of Pokémon Blue.

Pokémon is hardly the only Nintendo franchise to be criticized for not changing enough over the years, though at least something like Mario gets the occasional fresh title like Super Mario Galaxy. Pokémon doesn't even need something as dramatically different as that; the core of the Pokémon RPGs seems to lend itself to an online title of some sort. Perhaps the lack of such a game should be no surprise -- Nintendo does, after all, seem to fail time and again to grasp what it is gamers want from online gaming. With games like Outernauts cropping up and World of Warcraft featuring its own take on Pokémon in Mists of Pandaria, it does seem like Nintendo risks losing some fans to games more willing to provide the kind of online experience in a Pokémon-style game they want.

For some people, the Pokémon formula staying intact for Black/White Version 2 -- games that could have easily bucked the trend -- won't be an issue. Newcomers, in particular, are sure to be in for a good time as Game Freak has had nearly 15 years to perfect what it's trying to do. Others will be fine with it either because the new features that are included interest them or because they buy every Pokémon game no matter the circumstances. Others yet, myself included, will skip this release and continue to hope for something -- anything -- new to come along to shake up the formula. An online-centric title may or may not be the best possible answer, but it's hard to imagine such a dramatic change not making things feel comparatively fresh, which is all I'm really asking for.

Comments (13)

Side Games

Pokemon has varied from its basic formula with the likes of the Mystery Dungeon and Pokemon Ranger series. However, I never felt that these provided the full pokemon experience. I mean you can beat the ranger games in about 10-15 hours. If Pokemon were to create an online game, I would like to see a complete change in the formula. Instead of playing as a trainer, play as a wild pokemon and try to avoid being captured. You battle trainers by yourself and guilds could be teams of wild pokemon. You could get the option to choose basic pokemon like pidgeys or bidoofs for a different challenge.

Potential Pokemon

I definitely agree that Pokemon has a lot of untapped potential. Having played every game since the original Red and Blue, it's not hard for me to imagine the different routes Game Freak could take with a new Pokemon game -- obviously others have suggested an online multiplayer game, but I personally think that it has a lot of potential as a more story-intensive RPG. More than almost any other RPG's of this style, I think the Pokemon games create wonderfully realized worlds that are a ton of fun to explore. I'd love to see this aspect of the game fleshed out with deeper characters and slightly more involved plots.

dhgg

I don't think

I'll ever get tired of these games, I've been playing the games since the early days and have been till now. Just give me a starter pokemon and I'm sure to have a blast and exceed 500+ hours in the game. Sometimes I don't think it's a question of whether they can do it or not, you know a pokemon mmo, but I think it's rather the money. Think about it, every new entry in the series sells millions of copies, and in return they make a ton of money. Now if they turn that into an mmo, it'll be quite different. I'm pretty sure they can have every single region ever on one huge game, and add more content to it like newer regions as the years go by, and maybe have a subscription fee, but how many players will keep paying and playing every month when with what people are saying it's the same thing with every pokemon game? Now only longer and you have to pay every month?

I'm not saying they shouldn't try an mmo or some online heavy pokemon game, by all means that's what I want them to do, but I don't think we'll see one anytime soon. Plus pokemon games are online heavy, it's called competitive battling.

It doesn't need to be an MMO

But anyone who's familiar with Smogon knows that they really need to beef up their online system. I'd love to see the next Pokemon system work like Pokemon Showdown. Random battles, letting you create an (obviously only) online team for matchmaking, and all the different tiers and online rules make it such a great online game.

"...it's much more enjoyable when you're talking in person."

That's the same song and dance Nintendo has given for years when its asked why it doesn't do more on-line.

The real reason Nintendo hates on-line is this: it costs money to both implement those features and maintain them, and the company is all about squeezing as much money from something with as little effort and investment as possible (while still hitting a certain level of quality.)

Or just maybe...

they don't make games that need to be online to be enjoyed. Personally, I do very little online gaming. What I do play are a few games with people I know that don't live close enough to come over anymore. And then it's co-op. Mercs 2 and Minecraft see far more online time on my XBox than Transformers deathmatch or Call of Duty anything. There are some gamers that need to have that competition. And others, like myself, that don't. For me, friend codes aren't a big deal, because the few people I play with online are actual friends, so all I have to do is hand them a piece of paper with the numbers on it at work or whatever, and we're good to go.

Frankly, I do enjoy a face-to-face comversation over a phone call. But maybe that's more of a generational thing. Now I have to wonder if that means I'm getting old. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to chase some kids off my lawn.

i would skip this game

I've been

talking about a damn Pokemon MMO for ages. It would work so well! Gahhhhhhh, oh well. I'll settle for a fully 3-D, fully animated, Pokemon instead if it can't be an MMO as well. Lookin' at you Wii U. And when I say fully animated, I mean the Pokemon actual fight. None of this Pokemon Stadium cut away, cut back nonsense!

Been wondering for a while now

if a Pokemon fighting game would do well. With a roster of over 600(I think) now, I think it would be great. Imagine taking your team of pokemon and actually being in the action instead of just choosing an attack and hitting a button. And if it had custumizable move sets(wishful thinking), all the better.

I would love to play...

A Pokemon game where I can actually run into pokemon in real time on the field. Where I would have to stalk rare and meek pokemon and set up situations where I can corner them and use my pokemon to battle and catch them.

Where I have a decent range of creative control over the look of my avatar. And as for on-line options, be able to allow other users (Probably a set amount) into a shared gaming world where I could literally walk up to them and challenge them to a battle.

That's what I want to see from Pokemon. I initially enjoyed Pokemon Black, but halfway through I just got bored with it and got sick of randomized battles.